WALKING football is the latest version of the beautiful game increasing in popularity across south-east Essex.

Teams and coaching sessions continue to pop up throughout the local area.

And coach Ian Peterson - who runs the Players Football Academy’s version at Clements Hall - believes walking football will continue to thrive among the older generation of players.

“There are different teams throughout Essex and it’s growing all the time,” said Peterson.

“Through the PFA we wanted to get one going ourselves and it’s proven to be popular.

“We started it in May and we have a good number of people coming along most weeks.

“It’s a relaxed environment but it does get competitive because everyone likes to win.

Echo:

Group shot - the walking footballers with coach Ian Peterson

“It’s for people over the age of 50 and everyone who comes along to try it certainly seems to have fun.”

Walking football is played with the same rules as normal five-a-side with the obvious exception of not being able to be run. But Peterson said the new version of the game also adds an extra dimension to a footballer.

“It changes your mentality because you want to run after it and that’s the obvious natural instinct,” said Peterson.

“It’s a good way to keep fit as well and we have a good group of players here.

“We make it into a social event and all go and grab a cup of coffee afterwards together as well.”

The walking footballers meet every Wednesday morning but will now be taking a break until the start of the September due to the facilities being booked out for the school summer holidays.

Anyone above the age of 50 is welcome to attend and they will often be joined by popular Southend United defender Adam Barrett, who helps to run the coaching session when possible.

“Adam comes down and has joined in before as well,” said Peterson. “He reckons it might be a way of him being able to play a bit longer now too!”

For more details on how to join in with the walking football training sessions email adambarrett26@icloud.com.

OUR CHRIS JOINS THE ACTION

HAVING never played or even watched walking football I was not too sure what to expect before taking to the pitch at Clements Hall.

The title suggested it was obviously going to be quite slow but it did not take too long to get into the swing of it and I immediately started to enjoy the game.

Football is football at the end of the day but in this format there were one of two differences which did take time to get used to.

Echo:

Joining in - Echosport reporter Chris Phillips

When passing the ball to a team-mate it has become second nature to knock it into their path over the years.

But, when running is no longer an option, that has to change and there is actually far less room for error when attempting to maintain possession.

The other main difference and perhaps the most frustrating is when the ball is tantalisingly close by but you can not speed up to bring it under control.

But on the plus side team-mates cannot moan about not rushing back to deal with danger and, despite the pace of the game, it is a decent work out too.

I certainly had a sweat on by the end of the game but - being modest - I will definitely not mention my side’s crushing victory or my five goals!

Jokes aside, the match was played in great spirit and was clearly being enjoyed by all those in attendance.

I would certainly recommend this to anybody still wanting to play football.

I’m just sad I have to wait another 16 years to join in again!